INTRAOPERATIVE CONTRAST ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY FOR ASSESSMENT OF THE SURGICAL REPAIR OF CORONARY-ARTERY FISTULA

We report two cases of acquired coronary fistula in whom fistula flow and surgical repair were evaluated intraoperatively by contrast echoca rdiography. Surgical repair was carried out through the left atrium be cause of the associated surgical procedure on the mitral valve. Contra st echocardiography allowed easy identification of the fistula opening s in the left atrium and intraoperative control of the efficacy of the surgical closure. Contrast echocardiography is an ideal tool for the intraoperative diagnosis of effective interruption of a coronary fistu la.